You are here: Home / Field Notes / Turkey Defies Twitter Ban: The New Reality of Social Media Society

March 24, 2014

Turkey Defies Twitter Ban: The New Reality of Social Media Society

When we distinguish between the powers and the pitfalls of digital communications here on Everyday Ambassador, we always apply the question, “Is this tool bringing far-off people closer together, or creating greater distance between people already close-by?”

The pitfalls are the latter—when we’re texting at dinner, or more concerned about the way we appear on Instagram than the way we actually engage with others. The power is the former—when we connect in order to unite against forces that otherwise keep us separate or silent.

This past week, the people of Turkey historically championed the use of Twitter for civic justice, and we think all global citizens could benefit from taking a page from their playbook.

The background? After being subject to corruption investigations, Turkey’s beleaguered Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has faced many challenges to his power over the past year by citizens who’ve taken to social media to leak documents evidencing his corrupt activities. With municipal elections only days away on March 30th, it is reported that Erdogan had become frustrated with the power of social media to undermine his authority and potentially thwart his electability.

Last Thursday, Erdogan decided to actually ban Twitter altogether, likely in hopes that it would stifle the voices speaking out against his allegedly corrupt activities. As TIME reports, this is not a surprising move from the PM:

Erdogan has also vowed to ban Facebook and YouTube[…]. The Prime Minister’s particular loathing for social media began last summer, when protests broke out in Istanbul over a park, and swelled into a rebellion against his autocratic tendencies. ‘There is now a scourge called Twitter,’ Erdogan announced June 2. ‘This thing called social media is currently the worst menace to society.’

Unfortunately, what Erdogan dubs a “menace” to society is in fact a new world order of sorts, and one he will need to get used to if he is to continue governing in the 21st century. In the case of last week’s ban, his actions badly backfired, and as the New York Times points out, the everyday citizens of Turkey weren’t the only ones who tweeted about the injustice of a Twitter ban; the Turkish President himself who spoke up (on Twitter, of all places!) as well. President Abdullah Gül quickly defied the ban after it was put in place by tweeting his disapproval (and evidencing that he understands effective political leadership in social media societies):

In the wake of this dilemma, the PM’s government has held fast to more traditional understanding of justice and lawfulness. For example, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek announced that, “The Turkish telecommunications watchdog has made a number of statements saying that they have asked Twitter on a number of occasions to remove some content on the back of court orders and Twitter has been refusing to comply. I don’t think any global company, whether it’s a media company, whether it’s an industrial company, it shouldn’t see itself [as being] above the law.”

But the Turkish people (and President) and likely most other global citizens feel that a new day is dawning.

If everyday people air their concerns on Twitter, then the PM would be putting himself above the law to try and censor those complaints. In the 21st century, when politicians betray their people or behave corruptly, Twitter uniquely allows everyday people to find common ground on their distaste for injustice. Voices that were previously disconnected and easily silenced in solitude are now impossible to stifle, as hashtags and retweets allow information to spread at the speed of light across distance and divisions.

It’s still important to keep an eye on the power and the pitfalls, even as “successes” like Turkey’s play out across our desktops and smart phone screens. One can imagine that while much “uncovering of the truth” can now occur in the Twitter-sphere, it is possible that the network indeed makes it easier to launch non-factual smear campaigns, spread hateful feelings and messages, and incite violence and anger that could destabilize communities and countries if left unchecked. The tough part is, we’re voluntarily creating and entering a space that will not be policed by any one authority. We’re expected, to a large extent, to keep ourselves in check—to stay civil and respectful even in the case of corruption and injustice.

Do you think we’re capable of self-managing this “new world order”? What pitfalls have you observed, or do you anticipate? What positive powers have you experienced, or hope will become a reality? We would love to hear your thoughts, and we thank the people of Turkey for their bravery and citizenry over the past week’s events.

“Field Notes” is weekly global news commentary by Everyday Ambassador founder and director Kate Otto. To stay up to date on current events and the latest posts from this series, follow #fieldnotes on our other platforms, and check back regularly for updates.

Comments

Can’t wait to hear, Bee – thanks! It’s so much better to hear from someone on the ground about what’s going on (esp in this case, someone in Turkey who is also a social media expert!!), so definitely let us know more about your time there, whenever you have the time to do so. We’re all ears!

EA Newsletter

Connect with Us

Book Endorsements

Everyday Ambassador

"Kate is the ultimate example of how someone can mobilize the spirit, the heart and a true love for mankind to become an Everyday Ambassador. #WeAreHere for each other and we all have a role to play in building a more peaceful world for future generations, and this book shows us how to act in order to build that better future. I am very proud of Kate and urge you to listen to her! She has a huge future ahead of her. I am grateful to know her."

Alicia Keys; Artist/Activist

Everyday Ambassador

"Kate is the ultimate example of how someone can mobilize the spirit, the heart and a true love for mankind to become an Everyday Ambassador. #WeAreHere for each other and we all have a role to play in building a more peaceful world for future generations, and this book shows us how to act in order to build that better future. I am very proud of Kate and urge you to listen to her! She has a huge future ahead of her. I am grateful to know her."

Alicia Keys; Artist/Activist

Everyday Ambassador

“Rich with provocative ideas, Everyday Ambassador is a book that will inspire you to create meaningful change on a person-to-person level. The four core values that are explored seem simplistic, but Otto lays out how important they are for anyone who wants to promote compassionate action and social change. With greater focus, empathy, patience, and humility, the world would be a better and more just place to live.”

Anthony D. Romero; Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union

Everyday Ambassador

“We need a cadre of ‘everyday ambassadors’ to translate our best intentions into pragmatic actions that promote health and social equity. Kate Otto illuminates a way, in our digitized age, to develop deep human relationships to further these goals...Kate’s lessons are valuable ones for any young person who, as so many now do, travel in hopes of serving communities far from home.”

Dr. Paul Farmer; Founding Director of Partners in Health; Chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Everyday Ambassador

“Kate Otto's stories illustrate the care, patience, and deep listening that are vital to crafting lasting solutions to social problems around the world. This book shows how humility and perseverance are needed to turn good intentions into meaningful action. It will provide valuable insights for the growing community of globally minded changemakers.”

David Bornstein; New York Times Opinionator Journalist; Author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas

Everyday Ambassador

“A powerful 21st century story, Everyday Ambassador will inspire you to believe in your personal capacity to make a difference. Kate shows moral courage by pushing her generation to acknowledge its unique vulnerabilities. But she also guides her peers to solutions through her own example. No matter who – or where – you are, Kate’s message is to look in the mirror first. This book reveals the secrets of how to bring people together, even when technology pulls us farther apart. Throughout her adventures, she pairs tenacity with humility, revealing a blazingly original voice with which she speaks her mind yet listens deeply to others. [Kate’s book] will fill you with hope for our inter-connected future.”

Irshad Manji; Founder, Moral Courage Project

Everyday Ambassador

“Everyday Ambassador is a necessary read for anyone thinking about contributing to social change. Foundation for Sustainable Development has been working with professional and student volunteers for 17 years, and we have seen both the great benefit and great damage foreigners abroad can do to communities. Kate addresses the issue of the outsider in development head on and with no holds barred. We need informed and honest advocates like Kate to ensure that those seeking to 'help' actually 'serve' and do no harm to our partner communities. Our deepest appreciation to Kate for doing a huge service for community-based development!”

“Everyday Ambassador articulates some of the most important trends of our time. Through Kate Otto's travels and stories we can’t help but reflect on our own lives and the incredible importance of the everyday hero that is in each of us. Kate's focus on humility and international empathy is the type of thinking that will, at scale, solve the most pressing challenges of our time… and it all starts with the individual thinking collectively. If you ever doubted that one person can change the world, read this book.”

Daniel Epstein; Founder of Unreasonable Institute; Unreasonable Group

Everyday Ambassador

“We live in a world where technology truly can bolster, strengthen, and reinvent people’s relationships with our communities – and yet all too often we do not see this happening. Kate Otto proposes a smart game plan, through vibrant storytelling, for 21st century citizenship, and how we can use technology in pursuit of, not deterioration of, strong communities.”

Trabian Shorters; Vice President of Communities, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Everyday Ambassador

“Everyday Ambassador is a book whose time is long overdue, and Kate Otto is a changemaker who exhibits that all too rare combination of realizing great impact with deep humility. The lens through which she views the world is as much a student’s as it is a teacher's, and the lessons she shares by example will have a profound impact on how social entrepreneurs understand themselves and their work. Everyday Ambassador reminds us of the power of human connection, and how courageous self-reflection is a necessary first step for those who hope to responsibly change the world, and be transformed themselves in the process.”

“Kate Otto gives us an inspiring and clear example of how one must not just exist in the world, but rather be in and of the world. Everyday Ambassador exemplifies the value of strong relationships in our global era, taking seriously the attention and care required to form and maintain those relationships in the pursuit of a better world for everyone. Our world is increasingly interconnected and Kate demonstrates how to embrace that diversity through respectful and responsible global citizenship.”

John Sexton; President, New York University

Everyday Ambassador

“Kate Otto writes as a millennial yet has lessons to offer all of us. She writes from her heart and from her travels and helps us see that 'how' is as important as 'what'; that in order to change the world, we must change ourselves; and finally that deep connections trump multi-tasking. I applaud her commitment and her wisdom.”

Ellen Schall; Former Dean, NYU Robert Wagner School of Public Service

Everyday Ambassador

“Everyday Ambassador presents a terrific portrait of an often-missing perspective on public service. Kate Otto's stories illustrate how important the contributions of “everyday people” can be to foreign affairs and international relations in an era of globalization. I applaud Kate's commitment to making a difference in the world. Her thoughtful assessment of the value of humility and self-reflection is a great read with useful lessons for those of us who make our careers in public service.”

“Disparaging her generation's addiction to multi-tasking and superficial digital connections, [Kate] offers hard won critical insights to others who want to be of service in the world as she discovers that the way to change the world is to change yourself.”

"Kate Otto, like so many in her generation, is committed to being a good global citizen and doing her part to make the world a better place. Everyday Ambassador is a refreshing approach which encourages collaborative work with focus, empathy, humility and patience to better affect positive change in communities throughout the world."